We operate on a semester system: the 1st semester spans from August to December, and the 2nd semester runs from February to May. Please note that certain classes may extend by 1-2 weeks due to intensive periods and official holidays.
While Thailand does not have distinct spring or fall seasons, we refer to the 1st semester as the Fall semester and the 2nd semester as the Spring semester to prevent any confusion.
Our unique hybrid education system allows you to reside in your home country while pursuing your studies. The online component of the program features live classes conducted through Zoom.
Additionally, there are two to three weeks of in-person intensives twice a year hosted in the beautiful campus of Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts. Throughout your entire study period, you will engage in practicum and internship programs either in Thailand or in your home country.
Please watch the youtube videos below.
We strongly recommend that all students choose the 2nd option of the Non-thesis options for the following reasons:
- Students will be able to gain a similar level of research experience by choosing the non-thesis Independent Project option.
- Students will be more likely to finish on time as the thesis track involves a research project with a clinical trial involving human subjects, which can take longer due to the added task of going through the ethics board review.
- Students will be able to take 2-3 more courses directly related to the field.
- Both tracks cost the same.
- Students who select the non-Thesis option will face no restrictions in entering a PhD program due to the rigorous research experience they gain from the independent projects.
Independent Study (IS) Project is a lighter version of a thesis supervised by an academic advisor. Upon completion of the IS project, students undergo the same oral defense process of presenting and elaborating on the scholarly significance of their project. Therefore, students who finish the IS project will still be able to pursue a PhD degree in the future without any reservations.
We do not provide an exclusively online track for our MA in music therapy program. Instead, we offer a hybrid format that integrates online coursework with biannual intensive classes.
Becoming a proficient music therapist entails more than simply acquiring knowledge. Music therapists employ empathetic, reflexive, and intuitive methods in conjunction with specific therapeutic techniques. Thus, during the intensive classes, we facilitate hands-on experiential learning opportunities where students engage in role-playing exercises as both therapists and clients. Through these simulations and rigorous discussions, we foster the cultivation of independent decision-making skills and versatile musical abilities.
The curriculum is a full-time, two-year program, and we do not offer a part-time track.
The MA in Music Therapy program is highly intensive, as training to become a music therapist in just two years is already a highly demanding process. For this reason, we generally do not recommend working full-time while studying. However, if you can manage your time effectively and have a flexible work schedule, it may be possible.
Our classes typically occur during some evenings and a couple of afternoons each week. If you can work early mornings and part of the weekends, this arrangement might work.
That said, transitioning to a part-time job is preferable, as you’ll also need 1–2 days per week set aside for practicum or internship training.
Additionally, you are required to attend on-campus intensive classes twice a year, each lasting two weeks—once in March and once in October. If your workplace allows for extended leave during these periods, this can be arranged.
If you are unable to accommodate these requirements, it will be challenging to balance full-time work and the demands of the program.
No, a prior area of study is not a determining factor for admission. While we highly regard students with a background in music or psychology, it is not necessary for you to major in these disciplines.
The admission committee evaluates applicants based on their proficiency in functional musical skills, demonstration of personal qualities such as empathy and compassion, effective English communication skills, and their level of creativity and academic preparedness.
- Successful completion of a four-year Bachelor's degree in any field (preferably in health, music, or psychology but not mandatory).
- Proficient in functional musical skills, including singing, self-accompaniment on guitar or piano, improvisation, and solo instrument performance.
- Achieved the minimum required English language proficiency score, such as a minimum iBT TOEFL score of 61 (PBT: 500, CBT: 173), an IELTS score of 5.0, or a CU-TEP score of 60.
- Availability to travel to Bangkok twice a year for 2-3 weeks, once in March and once in November.
- Capability to dedicate at least 2 days per week for practicum/internship experience.
If you are in Thailand, CU-TEP is a recommended option as it is simpler in format and more easily accessible within the country compared to IELTS or TOEFL. You can find more details and register through Chulalongkorn University Academic Testing Center: https://atc.chula.ac.th/Main/en/tep_cbt_en/
For all other formal English proficiency tests, such as IELTS or TOEFL, please run a Google search for information specific to your country, as test centers and registration processes vary by location.
Each year, the exact deadline is different. Please refer to the 'Programme Announcements' section of this website or the official announcement made on our Programme's Facebook page.
1. Submit University Application Form at https://www.register.gradchula.com/
2. Prepare all 'Required Materials' listed on our 'Admission Info Page.'
http://www.musictherapy.grad.chula.ac.th/?page_id=55#rm
3. Create a YouTube playlist of all audition pieces and copy the playlist's address.
4. Send an email containing all materials from step 2 and the YouTube playlist address to cufaamt@gmail.com.
5. We will check all documents and then get back to you if any document is missing. Once all documents are complete, you will be scheduled for an interview.
Please have your recommendation letters addressed to 'the Committee Members of the MA in Music Therapy'.
We prefer that the letter be sent in PDF format online, directly to us at cufaamt@gmail.com with 'Recommendation Letter for ‘applicant name’' as the subject line.
Each committee member looks for different qualities in the applicants, so it's a difficult question to answer. Generally, be prepared to answer authentically questions about your vision, readiness, interest, strengths, and areas to improve on in pursuing your master's studies at Chula.
Consider selecting songs that you will sing along with your prospective clients. It would be advisable to include songs from diverse genres, catering to different age groups and suitable for group singing. Popular choices include Western pop songs, art songs, children's songs, folk songs, well-known jazz tunes, seasonal songs and well-known religious hymns.
If you are able to accompany yourself while singing on one of the two instruments, that would suffice for now. You may use only one instrument in your audition videos. However, we recommend that you begin working on the other instrument immediately, as there may be situations where proficiency in both instruments is necessary.
While vocal skill is important, the main objective is to be able to facilitate group singing among clients, rather than delivering solo performances. Therefore, applicants need only demonstrate the ability to sing on pitch and at a volume suitable for a group setting.
You can use your scores for the major piece. For the accompanied songs, try not to spend too much time looking at the score, as we would like to assess your level of comfort in singing and accompanying while relying less on looking at the instruments or the musical score.
Yes, there are limited partial scholarships available for students from both ASEAN and non-ASEAN countries. However, currently, there are no full scholarships offered.
For more specific details about scholarships, including eligibility criteria and application procedures, it's best to contact the relevant department directly as scholarship information is managed by them.
For international students, scholarship information is provided by the Office of Academic Affairs at https://academic.chula.ac.th/other/international.
You can find general information about scholarships at https://www.grad.chula.ac.th/en/scholarship.php?type=1
Since our MA in Music Therapy is an international programme, we invite renowned professors from outside the region to provide the most up-to-date knowledge and innovative therapeutic approaches in music therapy to our students. The cost of this cannot be covered by tuition fees alone. Additionally, we provide a comprehensive training aimed at fully preparing professional clinicians in music therapy. Therefore, our program consists of 52 credit hours, significantly higher than most master’s degree programs operating on a semester system. Lastly, our students must undergo extensive clinical training (practicum and internship) in their home country while taking our courses, which requires individual-level supervision at both on-site and at university levels.
Consequently, the program fees cover the costs of running the international guest lecturer programme, clinical training programme, and additional credit hours offered compared to other programmes.
We offer all our classes in English.
Real-time Zoom classes are generally scheduled in the evening hours, such as 6:30-9:30 Bangkok Time. Occasionally, 1-2 courses may be offered in the afternoon between 1:00-5:30 pm or morning between 10:00am-12:00pm.
On-campus intensives take place twice a year, once in March and once in November, for two weeks each semester. These intensive classes typically run from 9 am to 5 pm Bangkok time. However, please note that the times are subject to change.
Students are responsible for making their own lodging and dinner arrangements for the period of the intensive. CU iHouse is a guest house specifically available for short- to long-term stays for CU students, faculty, and guest scholars. However, there are multiple hotels nearby the university at various levels and costs.
https://pmcu.co.th/cu-i-house/
If you are a Thai national living inside Thailand, yes, you will be required to relocate to Bangkok during the period of your study. If you are not a Thai national living in another country, we recommend that you do not relocate but instead study and undergo clinical training in your home country.
The focal point of the professional training in music therapy is the clinical training. One of the reasons we operate on a hybrid format is to help students gain clinical training experience in their home country within their cultural and musical context. This will enable students to utilize what they have learned in the community where they will develop and explore future career options! We are continuing to expand our network of Clinical Training Institutions, so we are confident that students will not only receive the best academic training but also gain valuable on-site clinical training experience.
Our curriculum offers thorough training in both clinical and research disciplines, encompassing a wide spectrum of techniques and demographics, all adhering to the highest international standards. This also includes supervised clinical training conducted by certified music therapists. Therefore, our graduates will meet the requirements to apply for certification programs through reputable certifying bodies in the USA, Canada, Australia, and elsewhere.
Currently, music therapists in the region are discussing the plan to develop a credentialing system tailored for the region. Through their collaborative effort, we hope this will raise the professional recognition of the field in the region.
We have tailored our curriculum to meet or exceed the requirements of music therapy training programs worldwide. Our faculty members possess extensive clinical experience in these countries, hold music therapy credentials, and have completed academic training in the US and Europe. Thus, Chula graduates should encounter no obstacles in advancing their careers elsewhere, given the education they receive from us.
We have a section on our website called 'Meet Our Graduates,' where you can explore the various career paths they have secured. Please visit:
http://www.musictherapy.grad.chula.ac.th/#mog